Cirque of the Unclimbables facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cirque of the Unclimbables |
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 Cirque of the Unclimbables
Location in Canada
Cirque of the Unclimbables
Location in Northwest Territories
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| Location | Inside the Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Nearest city | Fort Simpson Fort Liard Nahanni Butte |
| Designation | Mountain |
The Cirque of the Unclimbables is a group of tall, rocky peaks and cliffs in Canada. It is found inside the Nahanni National Park Reserve, in the Northwest Territories. This amazing area is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Yellowknife. These mountains are part of the Mackenzie Mountains and are famous for being very challenging for climbers.
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What Makes the Cirque Special?
The Cirque of the Unclimbables is a unique place with many high mountains and steep rock walls. It is located in the Ragged Range, close to Glacier Lake. The most famous peak here is the Lotus Flower Tower. This tower is a must-climb for serious mountaineers. It is even mentioned in a famous climbing book called Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.
Why is it Called "Unclimbable"?
The name "Cirque of the Unclimbables" was given in 1955 by a mountaineer named Arnold Wexler. He found these very remote cliffs in the Logan Mountains, which are now part of Nahanni National Park Reserve. He was amazed by how steep and smooth the granite walls were. Because they seemed so hard to climb, he called these jagged mountains the "Cirque of the Unclimbables."
How Were These Mountains Formed?
These rugged peaks got their shape from the last ice age. They are some of the tallest mountains in the Northwest Territories. Their remote and towering cliffs, along with icefields, offer a big challenge for both hikers and climbers. This area is also a summer home for animals like woodland caribou, mountain goats, Dall's sheep, and bears.
Famous Peaks and Climbing Challenges
The most well-known peak in the Cirque is the Lotus Flower Tower. Its most impressive view comes from its 610-meter (2,000-foot) southeast side. Other challenging climbs in the area include Mount Proboscis, Club International, and Middle Huey Spire. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) away are the Vampire Spires, which are granite towers that are even harder to climb than those in the Cirque itself.
How to Get to the Cirque
Because the Cirque of the Unclimbables and the Ragged Range are so remote, you can only reach them by charter aircraft. This means you need to fly in on a special plane.
